Lee Sun-kyun, acclaimed for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” was found deceased in a car in Seoul on Wednesday, as confirmed by authorities. The discovery follows an intense police investigation concerning his alleged drug use.
Upon finding Lee in a car in northern Seoul, police and emergency officers initially believed he was unconscious. However, it was later confirmed by Seoul’s Seongbuk police station that Lee had passed away.
The 48-year-old actor had been the subject of a search after being reported missing, according to Seongbuk police. While the police have not confirmed the cause of death, South Korean media, including Yonhap news agency, reported that Lee’s family had informed the police of a message resembling a suicide note written by him.
Following the discovery, Lee’s body was transported to a nearby hospital in Seoul.
Lee’s international fame peaked with his role in “Parasite,” a film that made history by being the first non-English-language movie to win the Best Picture Oscar and the first South Korean film to receive an Academy Award. The movie clinched Oscars in four categories in 2020. Lee’s portrayal of the head of an affluent family in “Parasite” was part of his illustrious career.
In addition to his Oscar success, Lee was awarded the Screen Actors Guild award for “cast in a motion picture” in 2021 for his performance in “Parasite.” He also received a nomination for best actor at the International Emmy Awards for his role in the sci-fi thriller “Dr. Brain.”
Lee had been a well-known figure in South Korea long before “Parasite,” gaining stardom with his role in the hit TV drama “Coffee Prince (2007)” and maintaining popularity with series like “Behind The White Tower (2007),” “Pasta (2010),” and “My Mister (2018).”
He recently faced police investigations for alleged illegal drug use at the residence of a bar hostess, vehemently denying any intentional drug use, as reported by Yonhap. This scandal had significantly impacted his career, leading to the loss of several acting projects.
The severity of South Korea’s drug laws, as noted by AFP and Reuters, includes stringent penalties even for first-time drug use offenses, with potential jail time ranging from six months to up to 14 years for repeat offenders. South Korean nationals can face prosecution for drug use even if the substances were taken legally abroad, highlighting the strictness of the country’s drug policies.
